The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-01-07
TIE members OF The penngeivania

THE members of The Pennsylvania
met in the capitol at Harris
Uurg, Tuesday, aud each house effected
an organization. George Handy Smith,
Dc Philadelphia. was elected Presideut
"a S-uatg aud Henry X. Bower. Of Phiia
delphis Speaker OF the House. Each
in his inaugural address spoke OF the
advisabiIity Of al once adopting meas
ures providing fdr the submission of the
qnestiOI, u the adoption OF a cOnstiJu-
tional amendment prohibiting the man
uiacturc and safe OF intoxicating dTinks
as beverage within the limits o' this
commonwealth, to vote of the people.
Among other matters that will likely
claim jhe attention OF our State law
makers, Hill be the appOItionment Of the
STATE into Congressional, Senatorial and
Legislative districts and legislation ca
anli discrimination in railroad trans
porlalion and measures Cor promoting
the interests of The laboTirg C,asses.
Governor 2attis0n presented his final
message 10 both Houses which is an
elaborate. clear and f0rcibly worded
document, presenting important ques-
ti0ns Of public policy in his usual frank
and fearless manner. He gives a graft
fyIug exhibit 0fElhe States financial af-
fairs, there being a cash balance in the
Treasury, with all the ordinary expenses
Of the government met, of s., 600, 600 ::
Ill I
bonds in the Treasury is 5ut'S7, ,O7S. 900.
He advises a Constitutional Amendment
abolishiEg the poll tax which he claims
gives political committees an injurious
the ubiquitous practice Of paying their
personal tax for their votes. The Gov
error urges immediate legislation on the
liquor traffic. and in speaking Of prOhib-
iI CauuU- he enforced in less than five
years. and il would be a delusive reform
10 continue present evils while waiting
on the uncertainty. He advises high
license as a remedy for the prevention
of innumeTable "Jippling" shops. In
his message he repeats his conviction
that superintendent Higbee was guilty
of gross misdemeanOT in neglecting to
discharge his duties as Superintendent
towards the pupils in soldiers Orphan
Schools, and had II not been for the
constitutional provision denying him the
power he would have summarily remov-
Ell him from the Office to which he reap
pointed him. The Governor gives "a
summary Of the investigation he mada
into The condition Of thesesschOOls, and
submits the record with the request to
lha Legis'stu that il takes such action
as may be usadful 10 prevent the recur-
renee of the shameful abuses disclosed.
On the question Of appOTJioEmRLt he
calls the attention Of legislators TO the
Coustitutonlwhich directs the Legisla-
tuTe il forming districts, shall compose
them of compact and contiguous terri
tory Is nearly equal in population as may
be, - These rules are the cardinal points
in apportiOument. If they be followed
in good faith, they will result in Just
fair and acceptable laws. It is only
when they are violated that lidicuty
and Injustice are Occasioned. He dwelis
at length upon the two important judi
ciaI proceedings Instituted by the Attor-
ney General TO enforce the provisions Of
the Constellation governing railroad cor
pUratious. one Of these PROCEEDINGS
was begun for The purpose of preventing
the Pennsylvania railroad from discoE-
tinuing the construction of the projected
competing line between Harrisburg ard
Pittsburgh Known as the South Penn,
and the other was agatust the combina-
ti0n vaTiJusly known as the Trunk
Line PoUi' and the Goal Pool" He
urges the Legislature to give all needed
assistance 10 the Attorney General in
the prosecution Of these suits that the
ends OF justice may be atiaiued.